Taiwan's economy ministry has stepped in to ease a cooking oil shortage in Taichung, a relief for school kitchens and small businesses that have been struggling to buy supplies ahead of the new term and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

• People are still rushing to buy cooking oil in Taichung, with shelves cleared and buyers hoarding.
• Economy minister Kung Ming-hsin says state-run Taisugar, which holds about 5% of the oil market, will cover school and group meal kitchens.
• Everyone else — shops, restaurants, ordinary buyers — will be supplied through oil maker TTET Union.
• The ministry says anyone who cannot get help from the city government can come to it directly.

Outlook: Supply should loosen over the coming weeks as the state-backed shipments arrive, though panic buying may keep shelves thin through the Mid-Autumn holiday.